By R.L. Bynum
After sitting out last weekend’s exhibition game, running back Omarion Hampton reportedly had his best practice of the Los Angeles Chargers’ training camp on Monday in a 9-on-7 period focusing on run plays.
Hampton is listed as the backup to Najee Harris on the Chargers’ depth chart, but could start if Harris begins the season on the injured list as he recovers from an eye injury. Reports suggest that he won’t be ready for the Friday, Sept. 5, opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The final week of preseason begins Thursday:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers (Cole Holcomb and Kyler McMichael) at the Carolina Panthers — 7 p.m. (WRAL, NFL Network)
- The New England Patriots (Drake Maye, Mack Hollins and Jahvaree Ritzie) at the New York Giants (Joshua Ezeudu and Tomon Fox) — 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
Running back Javonte Williams, in his first season in Dallas, still hasn’t played a snap in the preseason for the Cowboys, but is expected to start ahead of Miles Sanders, one of six Tar Heels atop depth charts.
Wide receiver Dyami Brown, in his first season in Jacksonville and expected to start, was back as a full participant in practice this week after sitting out last week’s 17–17 tie with New Orleans because of stiffness in his lower body.
Wide receiver Josh Downs hasn’t played a preseason snap after lower-body issues hampered him last season. The starter for Indianapolis, he probably would have played last weekend, but suffered a hamstring injury in practice late last week.
Other Tar Heels listed atop depth charts:
— Second-year Miami cornerback Storm Duck (4 tackles in 41 preseason snaps)
— Eighth-year Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes (hasn’t played in the preseason)
— Maye (7 of 12, 58 yards in 29 preseason snaps)
While Maye is a lock to start for the Patriots, two other former UNC quarterbacks are in a battle to win backup jobs.
Sam Howell is the most experienced of a group vying to be the No. 2 quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings behind J.J. McCarthy, in a battle with Brett Rypien and Max Brosmer. Howell was only 1 of 5 for 13 yards and an interception in last weekend’s 20–12 loss to the New England Patriots after going 11 of 13 for 105 yards in the first exhibition game on Aug. 9, a 20–10 win over the Texans.
Mitch Trubisky has battled Mike White to back up Josh Allen in Buffalo. Even though White started in the Bills’ 38–0 loss last weekend at Chicago, Trubisky appears to have the edge. He is 16 of 26 for 193 yards and one TD in two preseason games.
Other UNC alums listed as second string entering the final exhibition games:
— Fourth-year Giants left tackle Ezeudu (82 offensive snaps in preseason)
— Second-year Titans left inside linebacker Cedric Gray (7 tackles, 7 assists, half a sack, 1 tackle for a loss in 80 preseason snaps)
— Sixth-year Bucs left tackle Charlie Heck (35 preseason snaps)
— Seventh-year Steelers inside linebacker Holcomb (3 tackles, 2 assists in 59 preseason snaps)
— Eighth-year Texans free safety M.J. Stewart (2 tackles, 1 assist in 58 preseason snaps)
Tar Heels listed as third string:
— Fourth-year Giants outside linebacker Fox (2 assists, 1 special-teams assist in 99 total preseason snaps)
— Second-year Raiders outside linebacker Amari Gainer (1 tackle on punt coverage in 21 total preseason snaps)
— Nine-year veteran Patriots wide receiver Hollins (3 catches for 38 yards in 18 preseason offensive snaps)
— Rookie Rams center Willie Lampkin (49 preseason offensive snaps).
— Third-year Cowboys left tackle Asim Richards (1 tackle after a lost fumble in 71 preseason offensive snaps)
— Rookie Patriots defensive tackle Ritzie (2 tackles in 30 total preseason snaps).
— Fifth-year 49ers middle linebacker Chazz Surratt (5 tackles, 1 assist in 38 total snaps, only playing in the second preseason game)
— Second-year Ravens wide receiver Tez Walker (6 catches for 61 yards in 95 total preseason snaps)
There are many Tar Heels who will be fighting for roster spots between now and when rosters must be cut to 53 by 4 p.m. on Aug. 26.
— Houston running back British Brooks is the sixth-string running back on the Texans’ depth chart. He only played five offensive snaps in last week’s 20–3 win over the Carolina Panthers, but scored on a 1-yard touchdown run on his only carry.
— Arizona running back Michael Carter, in his fifth NFL season, is the Cardinals’ fifth-string running back. He has 151 yards on 42 carries in two preseason games.
— Rookie Jags wide receiver John Copenhaver is the fourth-string tight end. He’s only played five offensive snaps combined in the first two preseason games.
— Rookie linebacker Power Echols is a fourth-string linebacker with the Chicago Bears. He has three assists and a fumble recovery in 43 defensive snaps over two preseason games.
— Rookie cornerback Alijah Huzzie isn’t listed on Houston’s unofficial depth chart on the team’s website (although he is the fourth-string nickelback, according to ESPN), and hasn’t played in either preseason game but was reportedly observing practice this week.
— Rookie wide receiver Nate McCollum isn’t on the Arizona depth chart on the team’s website, but ESPN lists him as fourth string. He only has 12 offensive snaps through two exhibitions and hasn’t been targeted for a pass.
— Defensive back Kyler McMichael is with Pittsburgh in his fifth training camp and trying to finally make his NFL debut. He’s listed as the fourth-string right cornerback and has two assists in 49 defensive snaps in preseason play.
— Rookie Kaimon Rucker, who signed with Baltimore after not getting drafted, is fourth string at the rush position for the Ravens. He has a tackle, two assists, two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery in 48 defensive snaps through two preseason games.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — First-string fullback
2025 statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Buffalo, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
2025 statistics (Jacksonville) — 17 games, 7 starts, 23 catches, 220 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 1 — 4:25 Sunday at Philadelphia, Fox
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday at Dallas, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 25 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
2025 statistics — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rushes, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Baltimore, CBS
Week 2 — 8:20 Sunday at Kansas City, NBC
Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
2025 statistics — (with New York Giants) Missed the season with a severe calf injury suffered during training camp (played 17 games in 2024)
Week 1 — 8:15 Monday vs. Denver, ESPN
Week 2 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Indianapolis, NBC
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 16 games, 15 starts, 94 tackles, 65 assists, 7 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 124 carries, 545 yards (54 longest), 4.4 average, 4 touchdowns; 32 catches, 192 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Buffalo, CBS
Week 2 — 4:30 Sunday vs. Las Vegas Raiders, CBS
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
2025 statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Atlanta, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New England, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 15 games, 47 catches, 550 yards, 12.0 average, 54 longest, 2 touchdowns
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | Started: 4 catches on 5 targets, 51 yards (19 longest); 50 offensive snaps (70%), 8 special-teams snaps (36)
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Backup quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 1 — 8:20 Sunday at New York Giants, NBC
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
2005 season statistics — 12 games, 38 tackles, 11 assists, 1 interception
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Pittsburgh, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, Fox
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
2025 statistics — Didn’t play; went on injured reserve in late August
Week 1 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
2025 statistics — 17 games, 17 starts, 354 of 492, 4,494 (72 longest), 71.9%, 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 47 sacks (201 yards in losses), 113.5 rating; 103 carries, 450 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 3 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | started: 23 of 33, 178 yards (19 longest), 178 yards, 1 touchdown (two-yard pass to Eli Raridon), 3 interceptions, 3 sacks (10 yards), 54.9 passer rating; 7 carries, 47 yards (16 longest); 71 offensive snaps (100%)
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
2025 statistics — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Detroit, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 11 games, 4 tackles
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | started: 1 tackle on kickoff coverage, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; called for a roughing-the-kicker penalty; 17 special-teams snaps (77%)
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday at Arizona, Fox
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics (Buffalo) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
2025 statistics — 11 games, 2 starts, 6 catches, 136 yards (38 longest), 3 touchdowns; 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 1 — 8:20 Sunday at New York Giants, NBC
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
On season-ending injured reserve
— New Orleans running back Ty Chandler; suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game; ran for 45 yards in two preseason games
On injured reserve
— Minnesota cornerback Marcus Allen; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
On PUP list
— Houston safety M.J. Stewart (torn quad), who didn’t play during the preseason
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three preseason games
— Tennessee running back Michael Carter by Tennessee; had three catches for 20 yards and a 43-yard kickoff return in the last preseason game
— Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
— Minnesota defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie; had four tackles and three assists in 77 total preseason snaps
— Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker; had 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack (6 yards), 2 tackles for losses and 1 quarterback hit in their 41–3 preseason win Friday
Waived in camp
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in two preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and two assists in three preseason games
— Offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Miami Dolphins
— Defensive end Smith Vilbert by Minnesota; had one tackle in 47 preseason snaps
Waived with injury designation
— Tight end Bryson Nesbit by Minnesota after collecting 3 catches for 29 yards in two preseason games; had been listed as fifth string
Photo via @chargers
